And, music and art fans will be in nearby Black Mountain this for the spring version of the much-anticipated LEAF Festival. The spring festival this weekend is sold out but it’s a good time to plan ahead and gear up for the fall event which will take place October 18-21.

There are many other great events happening this weekend to help you experience the culture of Asheville. Plan your trip to Asheville by utilizing our easy-to-use search to check room availability and rates at Asheville area accommodations. And, you can check events for any date by using our events calendar search.

The I-26 W North Carolina Welcome Center hosts a celebration in honor of National Tourism Day. The celebration will include award-winning fiddler Roger Howell, as well as 23-time National Clogging Champions The Baily Mountain Cloggers of Mars Hill University. Meet representatives from the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Chimney Rock State Park, Monarch Watch and others. Or, try your hand at a corn hole challenge and win a prize. The I-26 West North Carolina Welcome Center is located at mile marker 6 near the Tennessee state line.

This is the final weekend to enjoy Biltmore’s exhibition showcasing fashion from the movie Titanic. The costumes, including iconic costumes worn by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, have been on exhibition since early February. You will have the chance to see more than 50 costumes placed throughout the house. And, you will learn about the real-life connection Biltmore’s George and Edith Vanderbilt had to the Titanic.

Saturday (May 12)
Various locations in the Asheville River Arts District

Asheville’s colorful River Arts District, which features more than 200 artists, hosts special events the second Saturday of every month. Among the many great events, three Asheville artists join together at Philip DeAngelo Studio from 3-6 p.m. for a collaborative show called “Convergence.” The artists are Philip DeAngelo, Tanya Franklin and Ray Charnell. The show is a fundraiser that coincides with National Stamp Out Hunger Day. During the event this Saturday, 15 percent of all sales will be donated to Manna Food Bank.

The Village Potters will host a Spring Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to showcase the newly completed 5,000-square foot expansion. There will be demonstrations and a chance for hands-on experience. There were also be hourly giveaways. Take a look at the full list of events to see even more happenings at the Open House!

More than two dozen artists from the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be at the Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Art Center to celebrate fiber art. Fiber Weekend will feature demonstrations by felters, quilters, weavers, knitters, tatters, spinners and other experts in fiber skills. Among the highlights will be the Fiber Wearables Fashion Shows with Liz Spear on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. New this year will be the Farmhouse Barbecue wagon, which will serve locally-made food throughout the day Saturday. The events are free to attend.

Spring pop up shops

Buy something special for your loved ones (or yourself) during great spring pop up shops that feature works of local makers.

There is also an 11-day pop up shop featuring some of the area’s best in handmade and vintage. That shop will be at Asheville Social Hall. Shop organizers have curated goods from 75 independent vendors. The shop is open daily May 10-20 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Or, start the celebration early with a special pre-Mother’s Day Appalachian Spring Tea with Harriet at Whitemont Lodge on Saturday (May 12, 2 p.m. or 5 p.m.). Host Harriet Styles is one of the Swannanoa Valley’s most-honored women.

Mother's Day Show -- Four of Asheville's most recognizable female lead singers take the stage. Amanda Platt, Anya Hinkle, Aubrey Eisenman and Mary Lucey will song some of their favorite songs. Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, 6 p.m.

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